Western Australia’s leading Islamic leaders back Labor and Greens political parties in March State elections.

The WA Muslim community leadership has been swift in giving the Premier Colin Barnett a strong slap for turning his cheek towards fascist Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party . Last week in a ground breaking move WA’s leading Islamic scholars and imams after careful consideration backed Australian Labor and Australian Greens Parties in the March State election.

Muslim political observers say that the growing and robust WA Islamic community will not take nonsense of One Nation and their cohorts sitting down any more. Imams have urged the congregation that as citizens WA Muslims must exercise their vote to punish Barnett’s unholy alliance with racism and anti-Islam manifesto of One Nation party.

A suspected extremist right wing group fire-bombed a vehicle and sprayed Muslim- hate graffiti on walls of Thornlie Mosque and Islamic School at 8.30pm last night. This is the second attack on the school in two years. Last week a pig’s head was thrown at the Southern River Mosque. This unfortunate mosque has been a target of hate for over three years and up till now no arrest as ever been made!

Worshippers were inside the mosque praying Taraweeh. No one was injured. According to Police suspects were seen fleeing from the scene. WA has extremist right wing sympathisers and home for anti- Muslim political party- Liberty Alliance.

Islamic Council of WA and Ethnic Communities Council of WA will meet State government to discuss counter measures in light of this ugly rise in Islamophopia in Western Australia.

29 June 2016

Islamic Council of Western Australia hosted a successful Aftar Ramadan Dinner for the Muslim community at Rise Recreation Centre in Maylands. The event was well attended with State Government represented by Dr Mike Nahan, Minister for Multicultural Interests, WA police community engagement Unit. The local member for Mirrabooka Hon Janine Freeman MLA and Department of Immigration (Border Force) community liaison officers enjoyed hearty meal with Muslim community representatives.

14 June 2016

Muslims of WA are in the month of Ramadan and mosques and centres are full with their evening congregation taking part in Taraweeh prayers. It is month of mercy, generosity and forgiveness.

24 May 2016

Two significant mosque projects are under way in Western Australia. One is Armadale Masjid and the other in Kalgoorlie in the Eastern Goldfields. Kaloorlie has a great historical meaning for its the re-establishment of a mosque in the region since 1895.

This is a testament to the hard working and committed members of the Muslim community and generous donors across the nation that support this worthy cause.

Kalgoorlie Mosque known as “Masjid Quba” is appealing to West Australian community to help re-establish a mosque in the Goldfields where once proud Afghan camelers in late 19th century helped in the economic development of Western Australia.

The President of the Islamic Council of Western Australia Dr. Rateb Jneid attended the 1st International Conference of Muslim Councils in the West – a major initiative for Muslims in Western nations – in Washington, D.C., February 1-3 in Arlington, Va.

This conference was the first of its kind to bring Muslim leaders around the world together to exchange experiences and to discuss common issues of concern to our communities. A conference of this scale, uniting the voices of Muslims across the Western Hemisphere and world, is vital to our continued growth and development as a global community. The 200 attendees included representatives from Muslim Councils and their member organizations from North America, South America, the Caribbean, Australia, and Europe.

International representatives presented reports on Muslims in their respective countries.

Conference discussions focused on:

Identifying and developing strategic priorities for the Muslim communities in the West,

Exchanging ideas and developing strategies to address the rise of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim bigotry in the West,

Developing ways with which to challenge and counteract the problem of violent extremism in all its forms,

Enhancing the integration and positive contributions of Muslim communities in the societies in which they live,

Developing strategies for the resettlement of the new waves of refugees and exchanging experiences and resources.

The Conference was a successful and productive event with participants discussing issues and working together to propose solutions. The leaders were able to come up with a set of initiatives and proposals for further deliberation. The conference resolved that:

The leaders participating in the conference have acknowledged the need and have agreed to form a Coordinating Body of Muslim Councils in the West and have formed a steering committee to implement this decision.

“We will continue to engage in civic, social, political and educational areas to better integrate the Muslims in their own countries, as well as internationally”

The historic conference was a vibrant open discussion with enthusiastic participation from a diverse set of leaders who represented the Muslim community in the West. A commitment to continue such meetings, which bring leaders together for a common purpose and a vision for our community, was agreed on by all.

Islamic Council of WA President Dr Rateb Jneid was invited to represent Western Australia’s Muslim community. This was the first time ICWA was offered a seat with regional Muslim leaders and organisation heads in the former capital of Muslim Kaliphate of the Ottoman times.

A report on Muslim community in Western Australia was presented and closer links were forged with Turkish government.

Kalgoorlie Boulder City Council voted in favour for East Goldfields first mosque in Kalgoorlie. Historically the gold fields region of WA had three tin mosques in the 1890s so this is a historic moment for Western Australia. The approval for a new place of worship ought to celebrated and the council congratulated for their progressiveness and foresight. WA Muslim community will help with fund-raising towards the mosque.

Letter to Islamic Council of WA for assistance

11 December

UWA Mosque toilet targeted by religious hate

Islamic Council of WA and Ethnic Communities Council of WA condemned the latest hate crime directed at Muslim community. A pig’s head was put inside the toilet used by UWA Muslim students on Crawley campus. Police have questioned the suspect but no charges were laid. University of UWA expressed deep concerns of this intolerance and has stepped up campus security for its staff and Muslim students.

Previously a mosque and a Muslim cemetery were targeted with pig’s body parts and no arrests have ever been made by WA police.

29 November

World Environment Day Rally

The Islamic Council of WA represented the Muslim community and participated in a very successful the world environment day rally on Saturday.

The event attracted nearly 3000 people marched through city’s Hay Street mall from Wellington Square. Diverse group of faith leaders, unions, environmentalists and common people of Perth demonstrated their solidarity with world’s social movements today to save the planet Earth from corporate greed and wars of Empire.

Dr Rateb with Christian, Hindu, Buddhist and Jewish faith leaders at the rally

People marching up Hay St Street.

Faith leaders at the rally

People at the World Environment Day RallyWellington Square.

People power to save the planet.

March through Hay Street

Islamic Council of WA president Br Rateb Jneid with executive committee member Br Ehab El Gammel and Reverend Steve Francis from Uniting Church at the Peoples Climate March.

Islamic Council of WA President invited to the First Asia Pacific Countries Muslim Leaders Summit in Turkey 2015

Special report

For the first time in the history of Islamic Council of WA an elected president was invited to attend a international summit Muslim Leaders.

Dr. Rateb Jneid was one of selected few Muslim leaders from Australia who was invited to Istanbul to meet Turkey’s foreign affairs department officials and religious leaders.

It was good opportunity to have West Australian Muslim community’s diverse profile promoted to the high level audience. Turkey’s new geopolitical interests in status of Muslim minorities in the Asia Pacific region is a positive development for Muslim communities around Australia where Turkish investment, joint community projects and scholarships for Australian Muslims was high on the agenda. Historically in the 16th century under the Ottoman Kaliphate, Muslim seafarers travelled as far as Java and Papua New Guinea to buy bird feathers (For sultan’s turban) and exotic spices so its only natural that Turkey as the post-Ottoman state revisit its ancient relationship with the Asia-pacific region.

Australian Muslim leaders with Turkish government officials at the Summit.

ICWA President Dr Rateb Jneid with delegate

1 November 2015

ISLAMIC COUNCIL WA MULTICULTURAL DAY

Islamic Council WA held its Multicultural Day at Langford Islamic College which saw great support from members of general community, local members of parliament, Office of Multicultural Interests and WA police. The event highlighted the cohesiveness of the Muslim community and the importance of Multiculturalism and harmony. The event was a show case for the Muslim community to do more community outreach to counter act unprecedented anti-Muslim fervour in the country.

ICWA executive committee and president with local member and WA Police representatives

Across the nation Muslim councils and community organisations will open their mosques to the general public.

In WA, Masjid Ibrahim at Southern River will be open to the public. Southern River mosque has been a target of vandals and hate mongers previously. Organisers of the event and Islamic Council of WA hope that this type of outreach to the general community will help reduce Islamophopia and the fear campaign generated by Murdoch media outlets against the local Muslim community.

8 October 2015

WA Police has issued a community alert based on latest intelligence that anti Muslim protests may occur in the vicinity of WA mosques and other community facilities on or about 10 October, Saturday.

In the interest of community harmony and public order WA police will be monitoring anti-Muslim protest groups and work closely with Muslim community to ensure the safety and security of all West Australians.

Members of the Muslim community are urged to contact local Police on 131 444 if you need Police assistance or CONTACT your local police team on www.police.wa.gov.au and click on ‘ contact us’.

Courtesy of WA Police

ISLAMIC COUNCIL OF WA urges Muslim community members as law abiding citizens to remain calm and resolute at all times and report any acts of intimidation or provocation directly to Police.

29 September 2015

National Muslim Prison Board (South Africa) West Australia Workshop

Western Australia Muslim community was offered ground breaking prisoner welfare workshop that was based on restorative justice and rehabilitation of prisoners on Islamic principles. Community organsations, Imams, Muslim legal Network lawyers, Prison visit volunteers, womens group and WA police representatives and a police member of WA Parole Board attended this day workshop at Australian Islamic College.

It was very beneficial for all to learn the spiritual process used by learned sheikhs to help rehabilitate sentenced prisoner into model prisons. A WA Muslim Prison Board will be established soon by the Muslim community to ensure that Corrective Services and Parole Board have good high level interaction on prisoner rehabilitation issues.

Members of police and Imams at the workshop. Photo: Islamic Council of WA

The Premier of WA Hon Colin Barnett invited Muslim community representatives to a second meeting at the Parliament house. The meeting discussed issues of Muslim youth, politics of radicalisation and vandalism of religious places.

WA Police Commissioner’s tea invitation was well attended by Muslim organisations for the third year in running. As part of community-building this initiative was of great benefit for community policing enabling confidence and trust in in the local police in areas of crime prevention.

Representatives from the Muslim community at Police Commissioner’s morning tea function.Photograph by ICWA.

12 April 2015

Leader of opposition Mark McGowan and Shadow Minister for Multicultural Interests Margaret Quirk have introduced a much tougher law known as Criminal Damage to Places of Worship Bill 2015 targeting offenders who criminally damage religious place of worship. Under the proposed toughening of the law criminal damage whether motivated by racism or religious intolerance will attract a maximum penalty of 14 years.

The opposition leader said that” recent attacks on places of worship are symptoms of a malaise which must be responded to in a timely, robust and forthright fashion.”

Islamic Council of WA and Muslim community leaders urge the State government to support the proposed bill to enable stronger enforcement of the law to help preserve religious freedoms of all West Australians.

3 April 2015

Muslim communities across Australia have expressed dismay at the intensity of organised anti-Muslim rallies organised by fringed elements known as ” Reclaim Australia”. Little is known about this “Reclaim Australia” hate group but local Police and ASIO are keeping a close eye on these types far-right xenophobic people who are seeking to provoke the Muslim community.

16 February 2015

Southern River Mosque ( Ibrahim Masjid) was targeted yet again by anti-Muslim extremists over the weekend. This time the mosque was tagged with racist neo Nazi symbols of the Klu Klux Klan ( KKK).

The Muslim community leaders are increasingly frustrated that up till now no police arrests have been made given the fact the mosque has been cowardly targeted and vandalised since last year.

One of the positive outcome is that non Muslim Australians and the media are coming out to support its Muslim community. This is a sign that fair-minded West Australians are against this cowardly and vile attack.

22 December 2014

Islamic Motivations organisation held a very successful religious convention over two days at Perth Convention Centre. It was said to be the biggest and one of the best assembly of orators and speakers from the Muslim world attracting very good response from our Islamic community and naturally attracting some distaste from anti-Muslim media reports confirming insecurities and inherent paranoia of the Islamophobes.

17 December 2014

Interfaith Ceremony for Sydney Siege

The interfaith ceremony was organised by Mr Suresh Rajan to commemorate the lives of victims of Sydney siege. Islamic Council of WA joined representatives from Perth’s diverse religious communities to pray for peace and harmony in Australia.

26 November 2014

State opposition leader Mark McGowan has condemned attacks on religious buildings in Perth and extended his party’s support to WA’s Muslim community in such challenging times. Mr McGowan said that he was frustrated and angered by these racist and anti Islamic attacks. Western Australia has no place for bigots who target religious minorities and it is a disgrace that hate crimes are occurring in Western Australia.

The Labor leader said that anyone with information must contact WA Police.

Mark McGowan letter to Muslim community

25 November 2014

Muslim leaders and Islamic Council of WA called for calm yesterday following hateful defilement of the Southern River Mosque. A pig’s head and its body parts were scattered around the mosque property in a vile and cowardly attempt to cause harm to religious sentiments of Muslim belief.

Perth’s mosques and a Muslim school have been soft targets of organised anti-Islam groups in recent times following Abbot government’s anti-Muslim rhetoric and Australian media propaganda against Islam. In the last three weeks, a Sikh temple, School and Rockingham Mosque were also targeted by hate mongers.

West Australian Muslim community urged the State government to seriously look into rise in religious hatred in Western Australia. ICWA and Muslim leaders welcomed swift WA police response in this latest crime and would like to see RSPCA investigate this callous mutilation of the animal and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Severed head of a pig and its body parts scattered in front of the Mosque.Photo: Sheikh Shabir Adam Moosa

Senator Sam Dastyari from New South Wales was the honoured guest of United Voice last night speaking against the rise in Islamophopia in Australia.

The selected panel enlighten the audience with lively presentation and Q &A that was stimulating with interesting new ideas. United Voice hoped that such proactive and socially inclusive forums will help facilitate a more mature conversation about Islam and Australian Muslims. Islamic Council of WA expresses its appreciation to shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs Hon Margaret Quirk for spearheading this initiative.

10 November 2014

Letter from Opposition Leader Mark McGowan

Page 2

10 November 2014

State opposition leader Mark McGowan Australian Labor Party( ALP) hosted Muslim community leaders to a lunch at State Parliament House two weeks ago as a gesture of solidarity and support for the embattled Muslim community. Anti-Islamic sentiment and vandalism of places of worship has no place in Western Australia the opposition leader said.

Islamic Council WA president Dr Rateb Jneid said that non Muslim Sikh community’s place of worship was sprayed with hated filled graffiti and ICWA hopes WA police makes quick arrests.

27 October 2014

ABC news reported this morning that a group of men went to the federal parliament and protested against the federal government’s decision that lifted the controversial ban on Muslim visitor’s head dress, the Burqa. These men dressed in Klu Klux Klan head cover, helmets and burqa failed to make a point and is nothing but a sickening joke for fair minded Australians .

Australian Federal Police is investigating this group who have made a crude anti-Islamic stand at the people’s parliament. Muslim community organisations, AFP and ASIO are aware and are monitoring these hate-filled political parties and extremist groups.

25 October 2014

Mosques in Perth opened their doors to the general community as show of good will towards our diverse non-Muslim communities on Saturday. The Mosque open day event was well organised with Southern River Mosque attracting good television coverage of its work carried out to promote harmony in the community. This was a splendid effort given that it is at time when Muslim properties were vandalised and hate graffiti sprayed on Muslim properties last week. Islamic Council of WA extends its appreciation for all the hard work carried out our Mosque committees, WA Police and Muslim associations.

22 October 2014

State heads of Department of Immigration and Border Protection and Australian Customs and Border Protection Service invited members of Islamic Council of WA executive committee to a meeting to outline developments in the border protection legal framework in light of new legislative changes under way. The meeting looked at ways to strengthen federal government’s relationship with Australia’s Muslim community.

Department of Immigration and Australian Border Protection Service regional heads with Islamic Council of WA Executive Committee members at Immigration Dept HQ. PerthPhoto: ICWA

21 October 2014

The plan to ban the Muslim burqa at federal parliament has been overturned because it was revealed in a federal parliamentary inquiry that NO proper authorisation, Cabinet decision, or ASIO assessment was ever requested by the decision maker.

ABC reports that Speaker of House of parliament’s decision to ban was relied on a false and an unsubstantiated paranoid idea generated by a journalist and a police officer stationed at the federal parliament house at the time.

Police are investigating graffiti and offensive anti-Islam tagging around a Muslim school in Thorneli and Canning Mosque in Welshpool. This hate crime comes at a time when Australia is once again experiencing anti-Muslim hysteria stroked by a right- wing the Abbot government. Islamic Council WA condemns such cowardly attacks and wants the perpetrators arrested and punished by the law.

Perth city’s busy Murray Street mall become a rally cry on Saturday afternoon against the tide of Islamophopia in Australia stroked by Abbot government.

Universities Guilds, Labor movement, peace activists, Islamic Council WA and indigenous Australians gathered to condemn that rise of far-right, religious hatred and war mongering perpetuated by the right wing Abbot government.

A small group of anti Islam hate mongers numbering less than 20 dressed in black under facial concealment with highly offensive placards were silenced by boos from ordinary Australians. This was one of the moving moment of the protest. This racist and anti Muslim group were effectively issued Move-On- Notice by Police.

The WA police and city’s surveillance room did a superb job in keeping things under control. Media circus were there too. Some media such as the SundayTimes and Left Weekly were credible and some purported ‘journalist’s looked so fake and laughable resembling Hollywood- type wanna be spies filming a peaceful rally.

President of Islamic Council WA Dr Rateb Jneid addressing the anti- Islamophopia rally in Perth city

Photograph: ICWA

Australians gathering for the rally and looking at a small number of anti- Muslim bogans on the bridgePhotography: ICWA

Australians taking photos of anti- Muslim bogansPhotography: ICWA

Anti- Muslim bogans with their provocative and offensive banners that led the Police to issue them Move on Notices.Photograph: ICWA

15 October 2014

Under Abbot government the resurgence of anti-Islam fervour has shown its ugly head once again. WA universities guild, student unions, peace activists and Islamic Council of WA invite all peace loving and progressive Australians to say NO! to religious hate towards fellow Australian Muslims.

5 October 2014

Thousands of West Australian Muslims celebrated Eid Ul Adha festivities over two days across Western Australia marking a Day of Sacrifice culminating with the end of annual Hajj pilgrimage.

The President of Islamic Council WA Dr Rateb Jneid sent his best wishes to Muslim community that have endured a challenging time in the last three months amidst constant fear mongering and Islam bashing by federal politicians.

ICWA President’s Eid message to WA Muslim community.

The Premier of Western Australia Hon Colin Barnett (MLA) sent his best wishes on behalf the government of Western Australia to the WA Muslim community.

The Premier Hon Colin Barnett MLA met representatives from WA Muslim community yesterday for the first time since introduction of new federal anti-terror laws and joint AFP-ASIO security operations against small groups in the Muslim communities of NSW and Queensland.

The meeting was to allay fears and concerns of the Muslim community of WA that they are not unnecessarily survilled or targeted by spies and the police. Isolated incidents of embarrassment and abuse against visible Muslim women were reported in WA and the Premier was worried about this development.

The exclusion of WA Muslim community from federal government’s ‘community consultation’ regarding the new anti-terror laws over the last two months was mentioned.

“As part of WA community Muslim West Australians have a big role to play in demonstrating a positive image of Islam rather being victimised by negative media portrayals and its moral panics about Muslims” said the President of ICWA. Office of Multicultural Interests (OMI) hand -picked Muslim community representatives said that they want to see the State government provide more police security to Muslim institutions from threats of possible attacks from Far- right Neo Nazis and Hate groups.

Premier Hon Colin Barnett and Dr Mike Nahan Minister for Multicultural Interests meetrepresentatives of the Muslim community at State Parliament House

29 September 2014

West Australian Premier Hon Colin Barnett MLA

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett will meet representatives of the Muslim community next week to reassure State government support for social inclusion and harmony for all Western Australian citizens.

Premier will address the concerns of the WA Muslim community in light of new national security laws targeted at Australian Muslim citizens as evident in recent anti-terror AFP-ASIO -State police operations in Sydney and Queensland.

25 September 2014

The Abbot government has managed to get the new national security legislation pass through both houses of federal parliament with full support from the Labor opposition and Palmer United Party.

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation is a big winner in this bolstering of new anti-terror laws and this new spying powers will have a big impact on freedoms of Australian society.

Australian James Bond

New spy powers for Maxwell Smart

23 September 2014

This information is provided courtesy of Muslim Legal Network and Australian Muslim Civil Rights Advocacy Network. Please obtain legal advice from a criminal defence lawyer if you require legal representation.

23 September 2014

In light of recent anti-terror ASIO-AFP- State Police joint operations in New South Wales and Queensland Muslim State Councils and community advocacy organisations have issued urgent communique to its Muslim members to take extra precaution against potential religious or racially motivated violence.

Please remain calm and do not be provoked and report all provocations or acts of criminal violence to WA Police on 131 444 (000 Emergencies only)

8 September 2014

Islamic Council of WA hosted a Muslim community information forum on the proposed new National Security Legislation last night. Event was well attended by concerned community leaders, advocates, youth and Muslim civil society groups that expressed their displeasure at the Federal Government’s lack of transparency regarding the proposed laws aimed at Australia’s Muslim community. More grass roots consultative meetings are planned in conjunction with other States and Territories.

3 September 2014

Australian National Imams Council condemns Australia’s renewed military intervention in Iraq without Federal Parliament’s authorisation.

The West Australian reported on Monday that Dr Anne (Azza) Aly was targeted by Australian Defence League and their neo-Nazi associates in a hate campaign because of her religious faith and sympathy for Islam .

Dr Aly is a Muslim and a counter terrorism analyst at Curtin University who heads the People Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) a private enterprise that studies all forms of extremism in the political or religious ideologies.

Dr Anne (Azza) Aly at Australian Institute of Criminology, Canberra.

She has attracted criticism from both Muslim and non Muslim sectors for her outspokenness. It is unfortunate and rather cowardly that she is targeted in such a manner by extremists and rednecks from the KKK.

22 August 2014

Media hysteria and Abbot government’s manipulative political strategy to divide the Australian muslim community on the new anti-terror laws is backfiring.

Grass root Muslim civil, state Islamic councils groups across the country and human rights lawyers have criticised and condemned the rush to upgrade national security laws in a climate of media- generated fear campaign.

Islamic Council of WA expressed its horror today that Abbot -led liberal national government has once again played cheap Zionist politics by targeting the Australian Muslim community with new anti-terror legislation under a climate of fear mongering. Leading Muslim organisations and responsible religious leaders have condemned this authoritarianism that is not only risky for the nation and but reduces Muslim Australians to second class citizens status.

WA Muslim community and multicultural groups had a sigh of relief this afternoon as news broke from Canberra that the Cabinet overruled a overzealous Attorney General George Brandis’s plan to repeal section 18C of the race discrimination Act. This is a major humiliation for the Attorney General who once said in federal parliament that it is a right to be a bigot.”

However to keep him happy the Abbot government will follow United Kingdom, USA and its Western friend’s footsteps with its own tough anti terrorism laws to counter Islamic terrorism blessed by the Australian National Imams council.

Liam Ducey from WA Today News and Goldfields Islamic Community Centre Managers report that City of Karlgoorlie Boulder has approved the construction of Kalgoorlie Mosque last night amidst stiff opposition from red neck and Islam hate groups.

The Council voted 6-5 to approve the the mosque with the Deputy Mayor casting the last vote after the councillors vote was tie at 5-5!

The locals were encouraged by Islam hate groups from United States and Melbourne based far right fascist Zionist organisations such as Q- Society, Australian Defence League ‘Patriot Leagtue’ and social media Muslim haters that poisoned the minds of some Kalgoorlie locals.

For WA this is a good sign that good sense has prevailed and three cheers goes to City of Councillors of Kalgoorlie Boulder! for standing up to and defeating bigots.

Eid ul Fitr is celebrated today in some parts of WA amidst confusion whether moon was sighted last night over Australian skies. No new moon was sighted in Australia. Reports from South Pacific Islands of Fiji was used to announce the sighting of new moon for Australia.

Majority of mosques and centres will wait for sighting of the moon this evening and complete their 30 days of fast to end Ramadan tonight in accordance to Prophetic traditions. Eid-ul-Fitr is tomorrow for this group of Perth Muslims.

9 July 2014

Ramadan welcomed with piety and prayers

In keeping with tradition we see Ramadan is observed with piety, charity, forgiveness and self reflection by our West Australian Muslim community. Mosques and centres are filled with evening worshippers and prayers offered for the unfortunate victims of global conflict and dispossession. The Qu’ran is also read and completed by Muslims reflecting the religiosity of the Islamic community.

Kalgoorlie Mosque project received unnecessary abuse from usual suspects, Anti-Islam Far Rights groups and ADL supporters from Victoria on social media. Local politicians and councillors demonstrated level headedness and leadership in the matter. Islamic council WA thanked the local councillors for their support and look forward to a good and fair outcome for everyone in the Goldfields region.

29 June 2014

Junaid’s ‘Jihad’ news report

The West Australian Newspaper’s sensational and alarmist report about Noongar Muslim Junaid Thorne’s online Islamic lectures failed to arouse much critical media interest.

The Junaid Thorne story had very scant objective reporting on Channel 7 news and ABC Online however, it is fortunate that only The National Indigenous Television News (NITV NEWS) continues to give a balance report on the Thorne Brothers since last year.

Tabloid right-wing newspapers such as Melbourne’s Herald Sun and The West Australian have given media exposure to Mr Junaid Thorne’s outrageous online diatribe with good reason. Mr Thorne is a student of Shariah law having studied in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for many years. He considered a threat because of his political and religious views thence for this reason he is monitored by national spy body ASIO , AFP and local state police as reported in the news by the Foreign Minister Julie Bishop today. WA Imams, ICWA and Aboriginal elders will have no choice but to engage with Mr Junaid to help him rehabilitate his views.

Junaid Thorne on his return from Saudi Arabia at Perth International Airport last year

22 June 2014

Langford Islamic College Perth hosts world class Qu’ran reciters

World class Qu’ran reciters showered Perth’s beautiful night with pristine recitation to the awe of local Muslims at Langford Islamic College. What a night! the event saw learned Shaikh Abdurrahman Sadien, Shaikh Ishak Danis and Shaikh Ezzat Rashed recite with such great beauty that left many weeping in the audience.

Shaikh Abdul Hafeez Makki from Makkah Mukarramah and a scholar of Hadith also made his presence felt and he added to the rich constellation of learned scholars who was respectfully received by Perth Muslims as they prepare for the holy month of Ramadan. All donations went to Canning Sulemaniye Masjid and event was organised by Turkish Islamic Association of Western Australia.

Qur’an recitation event Langford Islamic College Perth 22 June 2014

WORLD CLASS QU’RAN RECITERS WITH ISLAMIC COUNCIL WA PRESIDENT DR RATEB JNEID 22 JUNE 2014

Minister for Citizenship, Multicultural Interests, Energy, Hon Dr Mike Nahan’s letter of support on behalf of State Government to WA Muslim community outlining State government’s response to threats from Far-Right extremist groups against the Muslim community in WA.

Western Australian Police Officers Morning Tea function with the Muslim Community

28 May 2014

In keeping with community engagement relationship Commissioner of Police Dr Karl O’ Callaghan APM invited representatives of Muslim community to a morning tea at Maylands. The event was very well organised and well attended by religious leaders and police officers from various commands. School children recited Holy Qur’an, inspirational speeches by the Police Commissioner, officers in the Police service and Sheikh Yahya Ibrahim were highlights of the morning. The Commissioner stated that Muslim community is an integral part of Society and a part of its crime fighting strategy and he also welcomed the young in the Muslim community to consider joining the WA Police Service as a career.

Official Opening of Southern River Mosque (Masjid Ibrahim)

22 May 2014

Mosque Trustee and religion leader Sheikh Burhaan Mehtar cordially invites the public and friends to the official opening of Southern River Mosque on Saturday 31 May 2014. The function starts at 10:30 am and finishes by zhur prayer time. Lot 1526, Leslie Street Southern River WA. (Lunch is served).

Round Table Meeting to counter right-wing racist extremism

21 May 2014

Islamic Council of Western Australia, Muslim stakeholders, lawyers and Ethnic Communities Council of WA held a roundtable meeting with WA Police Service, Office of Multicultural Interests and Equal Opportunity Commission representatives last night. The meeting discussed strategies and police action to counter threats from neo-nazi and right-wing racist extremism in Western Australia. The meeting was well received and very good support came from Hon Liz Behjat (MLC) from the Liberal-National government side and Hon Margaret Quirk (MLC) from the Labor opposition party. A follow up meeting is planned with WA’s ethnic community delegates and religious leaders for a community harmony project coordinated byICWA and ECCWA.

Click on Link to read Hon Liz Behjat (MLC) address to State Parliament on 13 May 2014 denouncing far-right extremism:

Islamic Council of Western Australia (ICWA) joined other Western Australian religious organisations and ethnic groups in strongly opposing the proposed repeal of section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) ” Racial Hatred Act 1995 (Cth).”

Muslim organisations are concerned that repeal of section 18C will enable racists to openly vilify one’s religious or cultural sensitivities without fear of criminal prosecution or civil action.

Organized by Federal Member for Perth Alannah MacTiernan and Michelle Rowlands Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multiculturalism Federal Member for Greenway